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Noturus albater Taylor 1969

Ozark Madtom

Larry Page
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Containing group: Noturus

Identification

The Ozark Madtom has a stout body and a relatively short head. A large dark blotch beneath adipose fin usually extends into the lower half of the fin, rarely to the edge. A dark bar (sometimes diffuse) is on the base of the caudal fin. The caudal fin has a straight or slightly rounded edge and a creamy white area on the upper margin of the fin. The high adipose fin has a rounded edge and is followed by a notch between it and the caudal fin. The pectoral spine has 6-10 large teeth on the rear edge and small teeth on the front edge. The body is yellow-brown to light brown above and pale yellow to cream-white below. There is dark mottling or blotching and 4 dusky saddles. The fins are yellow or white with indistinct blotches. The caudal fin often has irregular dark bands. The pectoral fin has 9 rays, and the anal fin has 13-16 rays. To 4 ¾ in. (12 cm) total length.

Range

The Ozark Madtom is found in the uplands of Missouri and Arkansas in the upper White and St. Francis River drainages. Ozark Madtoms in the St. Francis River are more mottled and stout-bodied than those in the White River, which tend to be more slender and boldly patterned. The species is locally common.

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Distribution of Noturus albater. © Larry Page

Habitat

The Ozark Madtom inhabits fast clear rocky riffles and flowing pools of creeks and small to medium rivers.

Similar Species

The Least Madtom, Noturus hildebrandi, is more slender and lacks a white area on the upper caudal fin margin. It also has a white lower side without dark pigment (N. h. lautus) or is prominently blotched above and on the side (N. h. hildebrandi). The Checkered Madtom, N. flavater, also occurs in the White River drainage but has 4 bold black saddles with the saddle under the adipose fin extending to the edge of the fin, a bold black bar on the base of the caudal fin, and a black blotch on the outer 1/3 of the dorsal fin.

Other Names for Noturus albater Taylor 1969

Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name Noturus albater
Location Benuetts R., Fulton Co., AR
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By L. M. Page
Life Cycle Stage Adult
Size 52 mm SL
Copyright © Larry Page
About This Page

Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Page, Larry. 2007. Noturus albater Taylor 1969. Ozark Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_albater/69883/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

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Noturus albater

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